This was excellent. New subscriber. I like how you didnt give up on what you set out to do as an actor. You wanted to be part of the industry, well theres many ways to have an impact. This piece- and im not even finished- will help a lot of people to see the big picture
Tyler Perry has the money and the power to change the game for black creatives. But, due to his greed and ego, he insists on putting out his own sub par scripts and continuously putting out garbage.
@@TiffanyByrdHarrison Tyler Perry has been running the same routine since he was making plays and selling video tapes back in the 90’s. He developed an audience and gained success using his formula. What makes you think he can have success doing anything else…??? It’s always the pocket watching people without trying to tell other people how they should be running their business. How many movie scripts have you wrote?
Keep in mind that redefining the images will disrupt the patterns and models that profit the people currently benefiting from them. If anyone successfully manages to change the momentum of these standards, the backlash will be potentially violent. Thanks to Boeing, we're now back in the age of openly assassinating agents of real change for the first time since the 1970s.
Well, because they're white and they say so. At least that's how it's been ever since THEY arrived. And that in itself is exhausting. I could go on, but...
Sorry to hear you're affected this way, but I can understand why. My brother has said the same thing for years, to the point that it causes him to have an animosity towards black people in real life that he feels like embody any portion of any of those stereotypes. Really affects him socially because he blames anybody that he sees sagging or doing anything that looks like those pictures on the screen that depict black people as ridiculous or only violent or what have you. He talks about how he walks in the room and has to fight through the perception that those people have gained from what has been presented in the media regarding people that look like him. So he really goes out of his way and has for years to make sure that he is not like the black people they see presented, to the point that he at times will talk down our ethnicity or find himself being a champion for particular political stances just because it will make him look different or separate. I'm sure that's a tough space to be in.
Stereotypes are unfair, of course, but sometimes our obsession with stereotypes is more about catering to the White gaze rather than the feeling of being trapped by misrepresentations. In fact, with technological advancements, we do get to control our image more and more, just not within the Hollywood system. Frankly, other than studying the evil beast that is Hollywood, I am uninterested in changing anything there when we can expend that energy to create our own.
@@rachelle_banksI completely commiserate with you and your brother because I’ve experienced it and my brother has been where your brother is. My brother pretty much has gotten to a point where he gives no Fs about fighting stereotypes, trying to stand out and be the Different Black, trying to be the Token Black Friend that proves that all Black folk aren’t a monolith, etc. There’s still an anger in him but it’s because he more clearly sees how much society works to control all of us. His friends, regardless of race, are curated according to having an independent mindset. A lot of it is about having to let go. Let go of performing in front of others. Let go of people who really aren’t friends and don’t offer true support. Let go of trying to fit in, and that’s with both White and Black groups, and communities, and notions about personhood that aren’t authentic. Doing all of that is not easy and it hurts. But it’s worth it all day, everyday! 😊
Spike Lee actually made a movie about the struggles of being a Black actor and how some Black producers are willing to pander to White audiences. It’s called Bamboozled.
Marcus Garvey film is being made , Book of Negroes was about founding Countries in Africa, Films on Blacks Turning the Grain Coast into Liberia. films about us dominating in Wall Street is now being made about Reginald Lewis
@@TiffanyByrdHarrison there were several Black Wall Streets including Tulsa Oklahoma which was burned down and bombed causing blacks to flee to the West Coast. Look up Black Wall Street Massacre. Same thing happened in Georgia.
That’s because you haven’t made those films yet. When we aren’t seeing something we want it’s up to US to make it happen and just as I’m telling you I told myself years ago. I said the same about the Oscar’s and now I’m producing a show like it for people of color. All it takes is your action, belief and to stop looking for others to do what you can do.
I'm in agreement, yet I would love to see these movies portrayed as more of a success story rather than a underline anger against the opposition. We already know that it took oppression to prove our greatness so why give the oppressors the power of acknowledgement ...
This really spoke to me today because I have been feeling like this about black filmmaking since I started wanting to get into this career. I’m a Full Sail University graduate and a Recently retired Air Force Veteran. My wife and I have a production company in Buffalo, NY where we are trying to make better films with us in mind. To make a long story short, here is the divide here… when it comes to local filmmaking, Black filmmaker here want to (and still do) make your typical Tubi Hood movies, white filmmakers make terrible horror/zombie movies but always get some financial backing and if we try to get together it’s a hallmark type film were the black guy plays the magical negro part. We crowdfunding for our film that beings something different and it is so upsetting that we don’t get the cooperation of the people here. Ok I feel like I made a long rant.😅
I find it hilarious how Ice Cube calls Hollywood racist while willing participating, and making music disparaging black women. He also called his fellow rappers racial slurs and joked about Eazy-E being hung/set of fire…….the lack of self-awareness is astounding.
Strange how you need to reach back almost 30 years for your argument, ignoring his all black casting in front of and behind the camera, employing hundreds of our community, the many actors and actresses he has supported and put over, his political and community advocacy. Meanwhile, you have never read Powernomics, or heard of its author.
@@gabrielmeth4844 You have no idea what someone has read or heard of, and making that assumption negates your entire argument. Have you read Economic Facts and Fallacies, or Wealth Poverty and Politics, or Intellectuals and Race? Probably not. But so what?
@@gabrielmeth4844 More importantly, the point is that he speaks about Hollywood (and the entertainment industry, in general), as if he never had a role in its toxicity, and as if that toxicity isn't part of the legacy that lives on today through his music. If he were so appalled, he could seek to have the songs that contributed negatively to the black community--his and others--taken off of radios and other musical sales sites. But no, he wants to continue making money off of them. And by the way, his films had strong color biases in casting, so do with that what you will.
Hollywood is lacking originality. There are so many reboots and sequels being made that there is really no room for original movies. I applaud you and others who are continuing to move forward in getting their ideas out and opening the door for others to bring fresh, new ideas to the big and small screens.
There are more originals than sequels and reboots. They just don't get that much attention which makes sense. But there's originals that get alot of praise and attention
@@LowSlungBadBitch I used to work in a movie theater and the number of people who came in asking for "the Bruce Willis movie" and didn't know the name or what the film was about baffled me. What the hell did a $60M advertising budget accomplish exactly?!
New artists are now also in the habit of keeping their copyright and licensing it rather than selling it to a corporation. Corporations don't like that; if there's a new STAR WARS or STAR TREK, they want to own every piece of it and will turn down properties and their potential profits if they can't own it outright. Say what you want about JK Rowling but she got her $700M by keeping her Harry Potter copyright. Believe me, Warner Bros. didn't want to pay her a dime of that if they didn't have to (and probably cheated her out of more anyway).
I disagree and this is why. The originality is there, its just people arent willing to give their ideas to the big wigs. They'd rather put the work out themselves!
I'm a black man who is a *game Dev* who is making a triple A game. The first game is largely about black women. The way the video game industry is structured is like Hollywood and the gamers attitudes towards black people (especially black women) in general is worse.
It really is. You can have a billion video games covering Norse, Greek, and Chinese mythology and hear nothing but support, the minute you make a game based on African mythology like the new Kenzera:Zau game the comments are filled with racist and ppl looking for any excuse to belittle the game.
I would love to know more about your game! I can't remember the last time I was able to play a game with more than one or two token black characters (outside of sports or urban street games) so it would be interesting to see it!
@@DarkHarpuia I never played Left 4 Dead 2 but I just looked it up. It seems like the same reasons why they hate Rochelle is the same reasons why they hate Frey Holland from Forspoken. These gamers (white folks and the black ones who want to lick the white one's boots) with make every excuse why they hate a black female character(s) but the fact they are black. And I noticed that a lot of the hate is towards black women, which is insane.
One black actor/actress says no to a role that perpetuates a stereotype, another black actor/actress will say yes. It's about money and or exposure. The promise of a better role next time or possible contract.
100% agree, people can talk about an unfair system all day but in the end, those that participate and power that same system are just as responsible and many black people want money at basically any cost, just like other people with same obsessions so this is bigger than Hollywood and bigger than just race, it's also about values, morals, faith and things along those lines.
Lady, have you seen the state of Hollywood financially and property wise? I've seen 4 video tours of Hollywood and Uptown LA where so many famous stores are closed, homeless and addicts on the streets and the atmosphere is grim and sad. The "dream" of Hollywood is over, it's on life support....
@@sassagrass7095 Yes they are. Not even most black people watch those movies. Most black made movies are made for females and the black LGBT community.
Great analysis and thought provoking discussion. “It’s systemic, it’s strategic, it’s pervasive, and it’s intentional”. It’s exhausting and we ARE sick of it! I love the idea of being accountable and making better choices as to what we support. I’m going to be even more diligent in that.
I could not place my finger on what it was! I Just knew I didn't want to watch anymore news, movies, or shows with the typical stereotypes🙄It got so bad I just stopped watching tv for a while. Now I am intentional with what I view, and don't get me started on the music!
"The Other Black Girl" on Hulu was a great series. I wish people would talk about the great black shows like "Harlem" instead of focusing on the negative like the new "Good Times". I really enjoyed your video as well. Very Well done.
Yes! Taraji crying pissed me off so bad. Absolutely no one wanted a remake of the Color Purple yet she was so willing to be a part of that nasty portrayal of us for money. It was only when she realized she was not going to get paid was it an issue. I don’t believe black people should walk the picket fence for sell outs!
Exactly. I never watched Empire because of those typical ah characters man. Taraji is the biggest sell out then cries when they screw her over.....You wanted to play with the Devil.
Tiffany this was a masterpiece. I’ve had my criticism of black media and you pulled back the curtain to give wonderful insight on what we don’t really see.
What about Oprah and Tyler Perry that can be considered apart of the hierarchy and could change the way for Black Hollywood, but then again it's their Egos keeping them from doing it.
They are not part of "Black" Hollywood, they are part of Hollywood period. The upper level and gate keepers. They're not trying to make Great or Ambitious projects for Black people! They take the Hollywood dollar especially when it involves degrading Black people and because they enjoy the social and financial "lifestyles"...
@@TiffanyByrdHarrison Oprah became a multi-millionaire in television at a time when you could count wealthy Black TV people on one hand. She made it by pleasing the White moms and wives of Middle America. You'll never see an All Star Epic uplifting African historical movie produced by her...
Audience Matters!!! Yes!! Tiffany, you nailed it!! This is more truth than I can stand right now. I mean, I know what you shared in theory, but listening and seeing it front and center is a harsh reality to swallow, and it hurts. But I love the solutions you provided and thank you for sharing those Black film companies, I will be supporting. "If you want to go fast go alone - if you want to go far go together." African Proverb. There is power in community!
Tiffany, you are easily becoming one of my favorite channels and voices over here in UA-camville. So much wisdom, intentionality, and thoughtfulness are put into your videos. Again, as a believer and storyteller, you are a voice we all need to remind us, we are not alone. Thank you again!🙏🏾
Man, Jowaan! You bout to make a thug cry out here 🥹🙏🏾 I am super grateful to be with ya on the interwebs and always thankful for God's people finding me. it's very humbling so thank you.
As an aspiring Native American actor and writer, videos like these are exactly what I need to open my eyes. I was raised in a predominantly white town by my protestant Caucasian grandmother and have recently discovered how limited my own worldview was as a result of it, as I used to think "The Help" and "Green Book" were top tier Black Cinema, mainly because I hated anything that wasn't "feel-good" and couldn't stomach more honest depictions that challenged my status quo. I have made sure to add every film you listed to my Letterboxd watchlist and will seek them out right away, as yes, "Coming to America" is the only one of those titles I've seen. And if you have even more to recommend, I'll watch enthusiastically. Hollywood and mainstream media feels like it's imploding, and if it does crumble, hopefully it paves the way for more independent and minority-made cinema that will shape our overall culture for the better. As the biggest reason we still have "Media Critics" who mostly complain about "Wokeness" is because of these stereotypes and practices still being seen as the norm, and anything challenging it is easy to dump on for views. I hope you find roles that are more fulfilling, authentic, and respectful, and in a safe and healthy work environment that values you the way you deserve.
What a lovely and thoughtful comment, thank you Isaiah for sharing your experience! I can only imagine how frustrating it must feel to be Native American and multi racial, and not see full pictures of your own experience on screen. Are there any movies that you feel clearly represent a picture of your upbringing? If so, I’d love to check it out. You’re absolutely right about those movies, but don’t be so hard on yourself. Both the help and Greenbook were supposed to make you feel that way - that’s why the light colors, and uplifting music. It was all a tactic to make everything feel Rosy colored, which is often how Hollywood does struggle pieces. Almost to say, It’s bad but it’s not that bad…I also fell for the Okie doke when I went to see Green book because it was super well done and Mahershala Ali is always delightful to watch on screen. But once I left the theater, I had to sit with the fact that the movie didn’t seem to give him much agency on his own, but rather his relationship with his driver, which to find out, the depiction wasn’t even based in reality.
Truth be told, I cannot. We also have our sappy white-friendly films in the form of "Dances with Wolves" and Disney's "Pocahontas." But it's clear that the Savages of classic Western Cinema is still at the Cultural forefront, even if it is slowly dissolving. My best recommendation would probably be 1998's "Smoke Signals." A great film that is probably the most authentic in terms of capturing modern reservation life, although I still think more can be done if we were given more chances. I found it interesting to see how Native communities reacted to "Killers of the Flower Moon," while I stand by that the film is a modern masterpiece, I can understand why some members of the community felt dissatisfaction with it, given how little mainstream attention we do get, and hopefully this film will get the ball rolling on more productions. And I hope Lily Gladstones future is still bright, but given the examples of struggling black starlets you've listed, it's still definitely a steep climb for her if so. I can remember when me and my friends saw Green Book in theaters, we all enjoyed it and talked positively about it for the rest of the day. Then later, we watched the Oscars together, and we felt so disappointed with its win. We couldn't explain why at the time, but that was likely what led to my own wake-up call.
@@isaiahwilliams2642 I hope you don’t mind me asking, but how do you feel about projects such as Marvel’s echo, spirit stallion of the Cimarron, black panther wakanda forever, the road to el dorado, Or the episode about Kahhori from Marvels what if? You don’t have to answer this if you don’t want to, but I’d really like to get to know your feelings on those pieces of media. And please do not hesitate to let me know if these pieces of media are offensive to Native Americans.
Canada is very supportive of First Nations (as natives are referred to there) and are an integral part of Canada’s culture. There is a lot of govt funding available in the arts, sports and education for First Nations people. Maybe you could look into connecting with native Canadians involved in filmmaking. Many native tribes were artificially separated when the border was implemented in colonial times. Therefore, there might be funding for American natives who are part of such a shared culture as well as for their Canadian cousins. Wishing you all the best!
This is a great conversation! A well-known director blocked me on Twitter when I said that black folks need to get our own and be gatekeepers to our own art. We are always welcoming everyone to the cookout when we know that none of those groups do the same for us. They take what we create and then make billions off our culture that we had to piece together from scraps. ✌🏾💜
That's been the story of black folks since the beginning of time it's very sad but you have to start by having an organized community refuse to be defined by stereotypes refuse to join gangs
The white community knows how to get money and circulate money. They will sell your craft to their community for millions. Yet that same craft in the black community that was created by a black person will only make thousands because the mindset is different. Black people have a fit about giving $20.00. They want everything for little or nothing. Just look at how they give to a Gofundme vs black people. We don't know how to show up for each other.
Maybe we don't need Hollywood to tell our stories. Indie studios are becoming more and more relevant. Hollywood will never change. I'll be on the lookout for movies and projects that have something different to say outside of what Hollywood wants to box black people in as. And happy to say I haven't watched a slave film or gangster film in years. unfortunately that means I have hardly watched any black content without having to do some deep searching for it... Feels like Issa has been the main one doing right by us but even she cant find the success she deserves.
Issa has been doing the work that needs to be done! but her being the "chosen one" is similar to Spike in the 90s - or MLK for civil rights, or any other leader we might elevate. we're putting A LOT of pressure on one or two people rather than all carrying the burden. I imagine this might burn out some of our creators in their process and instead of spreading it around, we end up drying up the one or two reservoirs we have.
This is a perspective that I have been arguing with my friends and family about. The industry is a propaganda machine that we help build ourselves. We are building our own mental prison.
my thing is why don't these actors choose to become independent and produce their own projects collectively?? if you gonna be broke and struggling ANYWAY, then why not be broke and struggling AND making art that matters? they need to just be real and say they're not really doing this work to express their creativity as artists, they want fame.
Francis Ford Coppola just made a film for $120M that he financed himself. To do that, he had to sell $500M worth of vineyards (which is where he has made most of his money) and he still can't get people to put up $100M in advertising for a film that's already done. Shit is more expensive in Hollywood than anyone really knows and I've even heard of people like George Harrison having to put up their homes as collateral to get a film as low as $2M made. I think the banks don't like to do business with private individuals, even wealthy ones. I heard tell that Daniel Radcliff--Harry Fucking Potter himself--was denied the sale of a painting he wanted because the gallery wanted to sell it for a higher price to richer collectors. So in these circles, wealth is not a universal term.
I agree, they also want assimilation and to be accepted by people who are not black. That is what a seat at the table is. Then they cry wolf when they tell them what they really think of them. I’m all for having allies but realistically you need to have control of your work and creativity in order for that to really exist. Also, it’s the self hate, no one should be able to turn on the news to watch the NFL or men’s basketball draft night and see these black players with majority non black or racially ambiguous girlfriends every single last one. All through Hollywood as well. No one is policing who people date but it’s telling when no other group of people dates out as much as black men do. It’s a beg for validation from other communities who are not willing. it also disrespects black women collectively because it’s sending a clear statement of who they feel is valuable. Most importantly it also shows a weak and divided community. These black actors have a divisive color blind mindset which is why they cry every year about the same thing. Clearly everyone else can see color matters, even when they gaslight and say it doesn’t matter.
LOL you said if you gon be broke and struggling, might as well make something good! Id love to interview some actors and ask them why they don't do their own indies collectively but I imagine the amount of work it requires to put things together is RISKY. Fear of failure, being cancelled, going up agains the heavyweights, losing out on money - celebrities, much like normal people, don't want to look bad. So sometimes I feel like doing small work well is beyond them. Us not famous people have the benefit of developing in the dark without all the pressure and eyes of other people yet. We can fail in private and with less risk involved.
@@TiffanyByrdHarrison i wonder if you could start an 'anonymous' series where they could talk to you with their voice distorted (kinda like deep throat and watergate) and share the real t with you. that would be epic.
Thank you for your video! I am a Japanese national that grew up/lives primarily in the USA. I love love love 90's Black cinema (Set it Off is one of my all-time favorite films). I want to support brilliant Black filmmakers creating today. 🥰
Brava!!!! I hope you hear me applauding you all the way from Las Vegas. You did an excellent and comprehensive job on this sometimes disheartening discussion of Black Hollywood. As an Actor and Film Maker, I couldn't agree with your in-depth research more. Congratulations on doing such great work and I sincerely am looking forward to more of your conversations and especially your new film projects. Thank you.
I hear it, Michael and I appreciate it so much! It's very humbling to see other artists like you in my comments so thank you for resonating with the content and connecting here.
The other day I was watching a video about the Blaxploitation movement, and I thought to myself: Black filmmakers and creators at one point created a movement in which they had the upper hand. I think about the late great Melvin Van Peebles, who basically started the Blaxploitation movement with Sweet Sweetback and The Watermelon Man. Although the Blaxploitation movement was controversial and a bit problematic, in some cases it allowed independent Black filmmakers to have control over their stories and how they wanted their movies to be portrayed before being co-opted by Hollywood and you know, capitalism. The other day I rewatched Just Another Girl on the IRT by Leslie Harris, and it’s truly a movie that did not play into the stereotypes of Black girls. Chantel the main protagonist was ambitious, passionate, and loyal. She had agency. She was not sexualized, nor were her friends. Her boyfriend, later baby’s father Tyrone was a spoiled, chauvinist kinda dude, but he wasn’t a drug dealer or anything stereotypical to Black men. He was just a dude with more money than Chantel. Just Another girl on the IRT is an overlooked and very underrated movie because it was not stereotypical, and instead focused on a Black girl’s point of view of how life was during the early 90s. This was a movie that not only Hollywood wanted to portray, but I felt like Black Hollywood at the time didn’t shift their focus to a movie that was groundbreaking, and still influential among indie filmmakers and Black woman directors to an extent. Black Hollywood can be better, but it has to be willing to go under construction. There should be stories and movies made around narratives that are often under utilized or is ignored completely. An example are nerds, Black alt girls/femmes/non-binary, trans people, fat people, just representation in general that is them living life without constraints. We can also start encouraging Black creatives and Black up and coming filmmakers by donating funds to their cash app or wherever they receive funds. This could all happen without a backing of a major system like Hollywood, who bastardize creatives, but specially Black creatives. Had to say that lol. Can’t wait until the video!
.... For Black men. Not sure how that movement worked for Black women in Hollywood. We went from playing maids and to playing prostitutes. Which is worse?
Nicole, let me say the Black Alt girls, femmes, non-binary, trans - essentially LGBTQ in movies, TV and definitely streaming, is in full effect right now. It's easier to get Black LGBT projects made more than ever. This is the lifestyle of many White executives, actors and producers for the last 50 years. But showing the traditional, heterosexual Black family living a positive lifestyle is extremely difficult and not pushed.
I would argue that Blaxploitation's success was largely rooted in it's genre nature. Genre films have always had the widest appeal, the largest audiences, generated the largest profits, and are overwhelmingly cult favorites. Everything from SHAFT to BLACKULA to SUPERFLY to BLACK BELT JONES and on were undeniably genre films that could have been made with different casts and settings because the stories were lurid and filled with excitement. American audiences didn't used to be as savvy as they are now about media and historically liked to turn off their brains.
Look that’s all fine and we’ll but in reality the larger part of audience wants the foolishness and b.s not regular everyday life stuff it’s called escapism just the same way conscious rap came and went but Hiphop/Gangsta rap is alive and here going through another rebirth 🤷🏽♀️🤷🏽♀️💁🏽♀️💁🏽♀️!!!!
Because we've been let down by our own. Many of us have supported black owned enterprises only for those enterprises to be short sighted and rip off it's base to gain short term profits
@@Lonelyeco it takes us building strong trust and relationships with one another that are mutually beneficial. Only after doing this back to back can we see growth. It's tough. A lack of unity and strength between one another
@@Thed538dhsk it’s not lack of unity it’s lack of good Ideas, leadership on those ideas and the ability to execute. I’m in Hollywood of color and just got 30 people to join my project to help raise money and make happen without giving them a dollar down and most of them are black on the team. It’s our lack of belief in what we are doing and lack in believe others would help or join us. Also look into sponsors and not donations.
Absolute excellent critique. I have been saying this for years. Optics and balance representation is everything. We need our own media network, great script writers (no to Tyler P🙄)etc and put our money into companies that tell our enriched narratives and support our creativity. I refused to watch 12 years a slave when it came out. Still haven't seen it nor do I intend to. Dont watch black struggle love movies either. I wasn't impressed with Spike Lee's She's gotta have it when it came out back in the days nor his reasoning behind it .Sick of the stereotypes. Thank you for the pointers as to how we the public can help to change things. You have a new subscriber ❤
Your analysis is excellent. As a creative, I've encountered many of these discussions before, but your perspective offers a fresh angle. I particularly value the notion of being humble enough to engage in more collaboration. Ultimately, it's through collaboration that dynasties are built and quality, consistent, and creative success is sustained. If you're ever doing production in the LA area, I would love to connect. Blessings.
hey Billy, I really appreciate that! I was in LA a few weeks ago working on a gig, so I will definitely let the community know that I’m in the area again, maybe we can do a meet up.
This spoke to me as a black indie creative. I LOVE the call to action with the studio recs and small creatives recs at the end of the video. Icing on this fantastic cake. You've got a new sub out of me. Can't wait to check out another dope black creative on here. You can thank FD for pointing me in your direction^^
I have never been able to articulate this as clearly as you have. Ever since I first began to spiritually vomit at Blackploitation films in 1971, when I was a kid, I've been on this track. Thank you for voicing it so well.
I have NEVER had any interest in watching "Driving Miss Daisy". Enough with the slave/servant roles. In contrast, I recently re- watched the 1984 movie "Brother From Another Planet" with the fantastic Joe Morton in the title role. I remember when it was first released, I thought it marked a significant change in the kind of roles black actors would be offered. It's a gem of a film and a sample of the kind of movies we could be doing.
That is such a simplistic way of looking at Driving Miss Daisy. As someone who has worked with the elderly for years, you have no idea the special bond that develops between an elderly person and the person intially hired to just help them. It's extraordinary. Often they are left to their own devices because their family is too busy. They struggle with their declining independence and this can cause conflict with the person helping them but if/when it is resolved, the trust relationship that develops is really special. The Morgan Freeman character was in no way obliged to remain working for the Miss Daisy character. Some people actually do care about other people of other races. By getting so caught up in what you knee jerk assume to be a terrible trope, you miss out on a real human story that is true to life for many elderly people and the people who care for them. Be a little more open minded.
@@vanessac1721 there is no point in convincing someone to watch a movie they don’t want to. They didn’t miss out on anything. There’s plenty of ways to get a feel good story without having to compromise our morals. It’s OK that they didn’t wanna watch “driving Miss Daisy”. I remember when the movie came out and forgot that it came out at the same time as “do the right thing. “It’s a much less memorable movie than “do the right thing” in my opinion.
Miss Daisy could no longer driver herself. That is why Dan Ackroyd hired Morgan Freeman. I don’t even care for Morgan Freeman that much (except Lean On Me) but the role was not downgrading. I mean it was his living and he played it with reducing himself or Black peoples. It was the way it was-often.
I don’t have much to say except that this video was really needed and greatly appreciated. A great reminder of how the industry is and also a wake up call for how we can address it. Thank you ❤
Great work! It’s been so nice to see the names of some of these films breathing and alive again, especially Daughters of the Dust and Eve’s Bayou 💙 A lot of these I saw in the summers after graduation, so I never had a community to discuss them, and then it all just evaporated. I was just at a super fortunate and specific place in time, like a weird cinematic hailstorm that I am never fully sure anyone else witnessed 🤷♀️ I was really happy to see Fiq bring Bamboozled into The Conversation, as it made me aware of the Criterion release. Those are some beautiful performances that I’m grateful to see again. There really was a moment it felt like Spike was gonna be able to move it forward all on his lonesome, then a bunch of South Park family guy happened and it’s been post post post ironic fart jokes since. But if I had thought it would be that easy, I guess I wouldn’t really have been paying much attention to the Message, I suppose. Thank you! 🙏
Love all of this Jen, and love the way you wrote your comment! I definitely think you were in a cinematic hailstorm that I would LOVE to return...And Bamboozled is so underrated albeit a risk for Spike during that time.
THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is what I have been discussing for years now i am seeking to do my part to keep this information out there!
I really study history, I am addicted to it. I read books 100-300 years old and this argument/complaint is as old as the Emancipation Proclamation. Imagine that.
@@TiffanyByrdHarrison tell me about it. We go through so many emotions coming into awareness of self. In conclusion, we are who we have always been. Some understand but most do not and there is a constant struggle within our struggle.
Shows me how, stuck we are, focused on the wrong things. As one of Zora Neal Hurston’s characters in Their Eyes Were Watching God said, “…We hold our own selves back”.
I didn't see it on Tiffany's list, but I'd strongly recommend Carl Franklin's superb "One False Move." A heartbreaking emotional story inside an absolutely crackerjack crime-story jacket. You'll wonder why this director disappeared.
I had the notification on for this and still missed the live smh But your right about holding ourselves responsible because I have been having talks with myself latley about some of the things I have been watching and asking myself "Why am I even looking at this"😂 This video was 🔥🔥like always
Subscribed, 2nd video and I’m all in. Thank you for breaking this down. At one time I wanted to be an actor and as I started booking commercials and my first pilot, it clicked and I gracefully bowed out of the rat race
Love this! I been saying this for years and everyone always wanna tell me, I'm focused too much on race and Hollywood gives you roles based on ticket movie sales. But I call b/s. A new trope I've noticed is that Hollywood will hire a black man in the leading role but always pairing him with a white girl or mixed race. They never want to give black women big roles.
I have seen this as well! I have no issue with interracial relationships but I can definitely see that media is skipping right over to Black couples and going to interracial ones to appear progressive. Another form of tokenism or modern day passing, where if you're attached to a privileged person a la Get Out, it should shield you from scrutiny.
That'd probably be true if Zendaya didn't exist. There are all these tensions at play in this stuff. It raises anthropological issues that go to very hurtful places, so maybe better to go very slowly? The problem with talking about "race" is, we're not the only ones talking about it, and there are some perspectives you really don't want to stir up. Very hard to get back in the bottle once they're out. One way to look at it, maybe, is that interracial pairings are in their own way a small but prudent step toward minimizing the tension and discomfort of these anthropological encounters. Like it or not, this is going to take time.
This is the best video I watched all week! Literally what I been trying to tell my homies for years. Now I can say "Bro just go watch this video"... thank you for real
thank you so much for watching and for the kind compliments! I also saw that you joined the Patreon, can’t wait to discuss with you in the movie club soon 🔥
Big fan of all cinema, but more so on Black cinema, from Boyz in the Hood, Love Jones, Love and Basketball to Brown Sugar. Not so keen on Tyler Perry though.
Thank you for introducing your questions in such a clear and concise format. This kind of conversation needs serious care and precision if it’s going to be spoken about. Great start!
I’m an actor…. That financial break down was a little off. 10k per episode for 6 episodes on a streaming service varies wildly. More like 5k for a recurring guest star. The waiting between gigs is the real kicker. Even as a working black actor there is no seniority or advancement. You can star in a show and never get a call to audition again. If you ever want to talk to a working actor on a show right now… I’m glad to help.
understood and thanks for the correction. the $10k was just an example for the sake of non industry folks, but i appreciate the offer for insight from a working actor! i’ll reach out for potential future videos
I am loving this video. So much said here is so true and yet left unsaid about the industry. I still find it wild to that even some higher paid actors/actresses are still having issues finding work despite well established previous works.
Well said and explained !! I’m a believer and positive about coming together as like minded individuals to do our part to support the change that is happening one victory at a time!
We immigrated to US from India and The Cosby Show was required viewing. For my parents, they wanted us to be like the Cosbys. They wanted us to go to med school like Dr Cosby :) Two movies you missed are, Mississippi Masala starting Denzel and Basquiat. My friend and I went to little indie theater in NYC and we knew Jeffery Wright was going to be huge.
I really enjoyed this video cus it reminded me of something extremely important. Not just as black people but as people, whenever we come across way more large scale problems and issues such as the self sabotage of black Hollywood. Because we all already know the dangers of horrible media representation and the more stereotypical roles were put into, the question we should always be asking is "what are you going to do about it?" This video gives a good starting point, advice and almost a blueprint on what to do and how we'd fix the black Hollywood problem. I'd like to see what we could do for music aswell
We spend too much money,we are so, creative we can start our own production companies and distribution companies, but first we have to treat each other the way we treat others, we treat others very kindly and lovingly, if we could do that then we are already there.
Saw the title of this video, and I instantly knew the content would be for me! Thankfully, I wasn't wrong 🥰 I'm an aspiring actor, writer, producer and director currently in film school and this is a topic that's been heavily weighing my chest for SO LONG now. You hit the nail on the wall with EVERY point you raised dude, ugh it's so refreshing to get a young, black and publicized voice in the media (who actually works in the industry) speak on things outside of drunk weekends and 'shaking ass on yacht'. Personally, I'm also beginning to see this problem in my home country of South Africa where a lot of the films and tv shows greenlit here are centred on crime stories where our protagonist is constantly someone wielding a gun. That is a reality that most of us DO NOT find ourselves in, and the most frustrating part about it is that there is SOOO MUCH to the South African identity and politics for us to greedily and unfairly invest ourselves in this tired trope. Thankfully, there are platforms like yours that are speaking out against this facade. It makes me really happy that this dialogue is happening and that I don't only have to only look to established, intelligent and progressive filmmakers like Spike Lee, Viola Davis, Barry Jenkins, etc. but that there are even UA-camrs preaching on this gospel! You've definitely gained a subscriber with me 🔥🔥 this is the content I signed up for man!!! 😁❤🎬🙏
Hi! Recent subscriber to your channel and enjoyed this video very much. It’s given me a lot to think about. Your presentation is quite professional and thought provoking. Two thoughts struck me while watching, the motion picture industry is that, an industry, a business to make money. Producers directors and actors are all a part of the process, but one of the most important are the writers. As my late wife, also an avid filmgoer, would say “There’s no substitute for plot.” Keep up the great work!
An option to consider is making independent short films or even skits on social media where you have absolute control of the narrative. Hollywood is becoming less influential thanks to the Internet
Black First. I'm just saying indeed, indeed thank you for this evening true powerful video commentary is indeed in my opinion truth be told the truth and food for thought. Yes again thank you for your deep point of view with all of the facts.
Excellent video. Your discussion about Black Hollywood makes me go back to your discussion about Tyler Perry and why do actors star in his schlock (I'm being nice). The things that "Black Hollywood" has to go through, brings up an actor named John Boyega. I won't give the whole story (because everybody knows it). He and the character he played, Finn, got screwed in the Star Wars Sequel Trilogy. The two teams of writers (which was one problem) didn't know what to do his character (which was a second problem). To be fair, they didn't know what to with ANY of the characters in that trilogy. I don't blame John for giving Disney/LucasFilm the finger when he left: they let his talent go to waste...BADLY. I'm glad to see he hasn't rested on his laurels and has showed off versatility in the flicks post-Star Wars. However, the question still remains: What hoops does Black Hollywood have to jump through JUST to get a morsel of work? 🤔
I knew Jon had issues with the franchise, but so glad he has his own production company in UpperRoom Productions! He took that ish and made it fertilizer, and for that, I'm proud. But your question, I wonder if we remove the hoops and just start small. We don't need acclaim at the beginning, we just need to start. Much like Ava Duvernay started with her camera in her 40s, we need to just begin with the little we have.
@@TiffanyByrdHarrison Yes, starting small would be the best route. I want to see good stories come back to the cinemas once again. What concerns me is this "woke" or "performative diversity" mindset that has placed good storytelling (along with well written characters, etc.) secondary to "the message". That nonsense needs to be extinct like the dodo bird. I believe that's what screwed John Boyega when it came to Star Wars. Instead of creating a trilogy with a solid overall arc (with well-written characters, etc.) ...we got "checked boxes"... -'Black character' (check) -'Asian character' (check) -'Hispanic character' (check) -'Strong female character' (a term that a I DESPISE!) (check) I think what would help Black Hollywood is to bring back the independent, mid-tier movies w/budgets that were sub-$90 million. If...IF that were to happen, other voices could counteract Tyler Perry. Folks would get the variety that is SORELY lacking in black films. However, this is just my opinion...I could be wrong. 😉 P.S.- I forgot that Boyega started his own production company, good. Honestly, I'm glad that he has stayed away from Star Wars...I don't want him to EVER come back. 🤔
Glad I recently found your channel ✊🏽 I enjoy your analysis...it definitely gets my wheels turning when considering filmic representation & circumnavigating industry strongholds. Much appreciated!
Godzilla -1 was exhibit "A" that a quality movie can be made without being in Hollywood but the X Factor is that black people want to stay victims and not make a collective product WITHOUT MASSA'S approval??? I guess that's cognitive dissonance.
Even great stories with black characters and mc and not stereotypes or reboot or race swapped rarely ever get talked about got to follow the stereotype
I think we do want to stay in a box, but I don't know if "victim" is the box. An excellent little indie film called "Tangerine" was made a few years back. Black protagonists, good story. But the protagonists were transgender women living by their wits on the margin of society. Too far outside the box of conventionality ("normal") that the black public likes to put itself in? I'd guess so. We go to the movies to see ourselves, rather than to see art. Our narrow tastes are just as limiting to our creators as any studio executive's concept of what a "black" movie is or should be.
Did I spend 5 extra days editing this? Yes. Yes I did ✊🏾 The glitches won’t let be great tho lol Join the Patreon Movie Club here: shorturl.at/hzLQV
Congratulations on 11K subs, Tiffany. You're on the rise. 😁❤
This was excellent. New subscriber. I like how you didnt give up on what you set out to do as an actor. You wanted to be part of the industry, well theres many ways to have an impact. This piece- and im not even finished- will help a lot of people to see the big picture
Oh no Sis... It's great.
And you absolutely killed it... You gain a new subscriber.... WE LOVE YOU TIFFANY
I like your story telling style. I'll tune in
Tyler Perry has the money and the power to change the game for black creatives. But, due to his greed and ego, he insists on putting out his own sub par scripts and continuously putting out garbage.
Bingo!
Unfortunately
@@TiffanyByrdHarrison
Tyler Perry has been running the same routine since he was making plays and selling video tapes back in the 90’s. He developed an audience and gained success using his formula.
What makes you think he can have success doing anything else…??? It’s always the pocket watching people without trying to tell other people how they should be running their business.
How many movie scripts have you wrote?
And his new movie, his 3 wwomen and 2 ⚫️women and the same actresses. It's like it's so hard to do all POc or even new actors
NO ONE owes you!!! DO IT YOURSELF!
These stereotypes are ruining my life and I feel like we don't even get a choice or a say so to define our own image. It depresses me.
Keep in mind that redefining the images will disrupt the patterns and models that profit the people currently benefiting from them. If anyone successfully manages to change the momentum of these standards, the backlash will be potentially violent. Thanks to Boeing, we're now back in the age of openly assassinating agents of real change for the first time since the 1970s.
Well, because they're white and they say so. At least that's how it's been ever since THEY arrived. And that in itself is exhausting. I could go on, but...
Sorry to hear you're affected this way, but I can understand why.
My brother has said the same thing for years, to the point that it causes him to have an animosity towards black people in real life that he feels like embody any portion of any of those stereotypes. Really affects him socially because he blames anybody that he sees sagging or doing anything that looks like those pictures on the screen that depict black people as ridiculous or only violent or what have you.
He talks about how he walks in the room and has to fight through the perception that those people have gained from what has been presented in the media regarding people that look like him.
So he really goes out of his way and has for years to make sure that he is not like the black people they see presented, to the point that he at times will talk down our ethnicity or find himself being a champion for particular political stances just because it will make him look different or separate.
I'm sure that's a tough space to be in.
Stereotypes are unfair, of course, but sometimes our obsession with stereotypes is more about catering to the White gaze rather than the feeling of being trapped by misrepresentations.
In fact, with technological advancements, we do get to control our image more and more, just not within the Hollywood system. Frankly, other than studying the evil beast that is Hollywood, I am uninterested in changing anything there when we can expend that energy to create our own.
@@rachelle_banksI completely commiserate with you and your brother because I’ve experienced it and my brother has been where your brother is.
My brother pretty much has gotten to a point where he gives no Fs about fighting stereotypes, trying to stand out and be the Different Black, trying to be the Token Black Friend that proves that all Black folk aren’t a monolith, etc. There’s still an anger in him but it’s because he more clearly sees how much society works to control all of us. His friends, regardless of race, are curated according to having an independent mindset.
A lot of it is about having to let go. Let go of performing in front of others. Let go of people who really aren’t friends and don’t offer true support. Let go of trying to fit in, and that’s with both White and Black groups, and communities, and notions about personhood that aren’t authentic.
Doing all of that is not easy and it hurts. But it’s worth it all day, everyday! 😊
Spike Lee actually made a movie about the struggles of being a Black actor and how some Black producers are willing to pander to White audiences. It’s called Bamboozled.
yes! I loved that movie when I saw it, although it was hard to watch in stomach, realizing how similar it was to our world.
Nahmeanwhatamsaying...
Every time I comment I have to pause so I don't miss anything...
Marcus Garvey film is being made , Book of Negroes was about founding Countries in Africa, Films on Blacks Turning the Grain Coast into Liberia. films about us dominating in Wall Street is now being made about Reginald Lewis
We've been long overdue for a Marcus Garvey biopic. BUT dominating wall street, I need to know more
@@TiffanyByrdHarrison there were several Black Wall Streets including Tulsa Oklahoma which was burned down and bombed causing blacks to flee to the West Coast. Look up Black Wall Street Massacre. Same thing happened in Georgia.
That’s because you haven’t made those films yet. When we aren’t seeing something we want it’s up to US to make it happen and just as I’m telling you I told myself years ago. I said the same about the Oscar’s and now I’m producing a show like it for people of color. All it takes is your action, belief and to stop looking for others to do what you can do.
@@BeautyInYOU583 Yes I agree, I too told myself this. It’s time to get to work🙏🏾🎬
I'm in agreement, yet I would love to see these movies portrayed as more of a success story rather than a underline anger against the opposition. We already know that it took oppression to prove our greatness so why give the oppressors the power of acknowledgement ...
WHEN BLACK ACTORS REFUSE TO DO GOOD BUSINESS WITH OTHER BLACK ACTORS.............. SELF SABOTAGE
That's right!
@@TiffanyByrdHarrison I like your video thank you
This really spoke to me today because I have been feeling like this about black filmmaking since I started wanting to get into this career. I’m a Full Sail University graduate and a Recently retired Air Force Veteran. My wife and I have a production company in Buffalo, NY where we are trying to make better films with us in mind. To make a long story short, here is the divide here… when it comes to local filmmaking, Black filmmaker here want to (and still do) make your typical Tubi Hood movies, white filmmakers make terrible horror/zombie movies but always get some financial backing and if we try to get together it’s a hallmark type film were the black guy plays the magical negro part. We crowdfunding for our film that beings something different and it is so upsetting that we don’t get the cooperation of the people here. Ok I feel like I made a long rant.😅
@@askewdfilms ditch the victimhood mindset.
@@askewdfilmsWhat's your crowdfunding called?
I find it hilarious how Ice Cube calls Hollywood racist while willing participating, and making music disparaging black women. He also called his fellow rappers racial slurs and joked about Eazy-E being hung/set of fire…….the lack of self-awareness is astounding.
So true! And rappers need to be held accountable for their part in our degradation.
Strange how you need to reach back almost 30 years for your argument, ignoring his all black casting in front of and behind the camera, employing hundreds of our community, the many actors and actresses he has supported and put over, his political and community advocacy.
Meanwhile, you have never read Powernomics, or heard of its author.
@@gabrielmeth4844 You have no idea what someone has read or heard of, and making that assumption negates your entire argument. Have you read Economic Facts and Fallacies, or Wealth Poverty and Politics, or Intellectuals and Race? Probably not. But so what?
@@gabrielmeth4844 More importantly, the point is that he speaks about Hollywood (and the entertainment industry, in general), as if he never had a role in its toxicity, and as if that toxicity isn't part of the legacy that lives on today through his music. If he were so appalled, he could seek to have the songs that contributed negatively to the black community--his and others--taken off of radios and other musical sales sites. But no, he wants to continue making money off of them.
And by the way, his films had strong color biases in casting, so do with that what you will.
I suggest reading 'Pedagogy of the Oppressed' to better understand the behavior.
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Hollywood is lacking originality. There are so many reboots and sequels being made that there is really no room for original movies. I applaud you and others who are continuing to move forward in getting their ideas out and opening the door for others to bring fresh, new ideas to the big and small screens.
There are more originals than sequels and reboots. They just don't get that much attention which makes sense. But there's originals that get alot of praise and attention
People don’t seek films I think a lot of people just see the ads big companies can afford
@@LowSlungBadBitch I used to work in a movie theater and the number of people who came in asking for "the Bruce Willis movie" and didn't know the name or what the film was about baffled me. What the hell did a $60M advertising budget accomplish exactly?!
New artists are now also in the habit of keeping their copyright and licensing it rather than selling it to a corporation. Corporations don't like that; if there's a new STAR WARS or STAR TREK, they want to own every piece of it and will turn down properties and their potential profits if they can't own it outright.
Say what you want about JK Rowling but she got her $700M by keeping her Harry Potter copyright. Believe me, Warner Bros. didn't want to pay her a dime of that if they didn't have to (and probably cheated her out of more anyway).
I disagree and this is why. The originality is there, its just people arent willing to give their ideas to the big wigs. They'd rather put the work out themselves!
Some people prefer to bathe in someone else's old bathwater and complain about how dirty it is, rather than run a fresh tub.
I'm a black man who is a *game Dev* who is making a triple A game. The first game is largely about black women. The way the video game industry is structured is like Hollywood and the gamers attitudes towards black people (especially black women) in general is worse.
Man, remember how insane people acted about Rochelle in Left 4 Dead 2? That shit radicalized me.
It really is. You can have a billion video games covering Norse, Greek, and Chinese mythology and hear nothing but support, the minute you make a game based on African mythology like the new Kenzera:Zau game the comments are filled with racist and ppl looking for any excuse to belittle the game.
I would love to know more about your game! I can't remember the last time I was able to play a game with more than one or two token black characters (outside of sports or urban street games) so it would be interesting to see it!
@@C-Bee Exactly 💯
@@DarkHarpuia I never played Left 4 Dead 2 but I just looked it up. It seems like the same reasons why they hate Rochelle is the same reasons why they hate Frey Holland from Forspoken.
These gamers (white folks and the black ones who want to lick the white one's boots) with make every excuse why they hate a black female character(s) but the fact they are black.
And I noticed that a lot of the hate is towards black women, which is insane.
One black actor/actress says no to a role that perpetuates a stereotype, another black actor/actress will say yes. It's about money and or exposure. The promise of a better role next time or possible contract.
100% agree, people can talk about an unfair system all day but in the end, those that participate and power that same system are just as responsible and many black people want money at basically any cost, just like other people with same obsessions so this is bigger than Hollywood and bigger than just race, it's also about values, morals, faith and things along those lines.
LOVED THIS! 🔥 I just quit Hollywood. I was tired of those auditions too. Working independently exclusively now.💕
I salute you for having the heart to leave the Hollywood industry. 🫡❤
Wow, Chrissie! Proud of your hustle and talent. I can't wait to see your work soon!
Lady, have you seen the state of Hollywood financially and property wise? I've seen 4 video tours of Hollywood and Uptown LA where so many famous stores are closed, homeless and addicts on the streets and the atmosphere is grim and sad. The "dream" of Hollywood is over, it's on life support....
Congratulations! There are too many technological advancements to not go our own way.
@@somethingelse419 👏 Exactly
The logic behind our movies not being marketable is wild. Especially since music from African American culture is touted, copied and love everywhere
that part
But the movies are made for a niche audience.
@@slickrick8046 Not true at all.
@@sassagrass7095
Yes they are. Not even most black people watch those movies. Most black made movies are made for females and the black LGBT community.
@@sassagrass7095
If you got a black man who sits around and watch those movies with you…he’s suspect. 😂😂😂
Also, just look at the box office numbers.
Great analysis and thought provoking discussion. “It’s systemic, it’s strategic, it’s pervasive, and it’s intentional”. It’s exhausting and we ARE sick of it! I love the idea of being accountable and making better choices as to what we support. I’m going to be even more diligent in that.
You are so right! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽. We have to make better choices and try to see every quality black movie in the theaters. They have to see the dollars!
I could not place my finger on what it was! I Just knew I didn't want to watch anymore news, movies, or shows with the typical stereotypes🙄It got so bad I just stopped watching tv for a while. Now I am intentional with what I view, and don't get me started on the music!
"The Other Black Girl" on Hulu was a great series. I wish people would talk about the great black shows like "Harlem" instead of focusing on the negative like the new "Good Times".
I really enjoyed your video as well. Very Well done.
Nice recommendation!
Of “Harlem” is the one about the women, it looks very negative to me.
This, THIS is the conversation we need to have and actively, externally working together to change the narrative! No better time than the present
Thank you lover! From your mouth to God's ears 🙌🏾
💚
Yes! Taraji crying pissed me off so bad. Absolutely no one wanted a remake of the Color Purple yet she was so willing to be a part of that nasty portrayal of us for money. It was only when she realized she was not going to get paid was it an issue. I don’t believe black people should walk the picket fence for sell outs!
Say it louder for the folks in the back!
They like those old slavey post slavey movies when we were docile , servitude.
You don't see a holocaust movie being made as much as slavery movies.
The movie flopped.
@@leebutler926
It’s a bunch of movies about the J’s. That’s one of the ways they made white Americans feel guilty.
Exactly. I never watched Empire because of those typical ah characters man. Taraji is the biggest sell out then cries when they screw her over.....You wanted to play with the Devil.
Tiffany this was a masterpiece. I’ve had my criticism of black media and you pulled back the curtain to give wonderful insight on what we don’t really see.
bro!! unexpected and thankful, you have really supported the channel and I appreciate that you were breaking traditions over there 👏🏾👊🏾
What about Oprah and Tyler Perry that can be considered apart of the hierarchy and could change the way for Black Hollywood, but then again it's their Egos keeping them from doing it.
They are not part of "Black" Hollywood, they are part of Hollywood period. The upper level and gate keepers. They're not trying to make Great or Ambitious projects for Black people! They take the Hollywood dollar especially when it involves degrading Black people and because they enjoy the social and financial "lifestyles"...
Their money might also be dirty. Which would make their hands dirty and calling out others would put themselves at risk.
definitely think they could be part of the solution...but instead, are part of the system
@@TiffanyByrdHarrison Oprah became a multi-millionaire in television at a time when you could count wealthy Black TV people on one hand. She made it by pleasing the White moms and wives of Middle America. You'll never see an All Star Epic uplifting African historical movie produced by her...
Its bigger than 2 people
Audience Matters!!! Yes!! Tiffany, you nailed it!! This is more truth than I can stand right now. I mean, I know what you shared in theory, but listening and seeing it front and center is a harsh reality to swallow, and it hurts. But I love the solutions you provided and thank you for sharing those Black film companies, I will be supporting. "If you want to go fast go alone - if you want to go far go together." African Proverb. There is power in community!
So much power in community - Yes! Thank you, mama!
Tiffany, you are easily becoming one of my favorite channels and voices over here in UA-camville. So much wisdom, intentionality, and thoughtfulness are put into your videos. Again, as a believer and storyteller, you are a voice we all need to remind us, we are not alone. Thank you again!🙏🏾
Man, Jowaan! You bout to make a thug cry out here 🥹🙏🏾 I am super grateful to be with ya on the interwebs and always thankful for God's people finding me. it's very humbling so thank you.
As an aspiring Native American actor and writer, videos like these are exactly what I need to open my eyes. I was raised in a predominantly white town by my protestant Caucasian grandmother and have recently discovered how limited my own worldview was as a result of it, as I used to think "The Help" and "Green Book" were top tier Black Cinema, mainly because I hated anything that wasn't "feel-good" and couldn't stomach more honest depictions that challenged my status quo.
I have made sure to add every film you listed to my Letterboxd watchlist and will seek them out right away, as yes, "Coming to America" is the only one of those titles I've seen. And if you have even more to recommend, I'll watch enthusiastically.
Hollywood and mainstream media feels like it's imploding, and if it does crumble, hopefully it paves the way for more independent and minority-made cinema that will shape our overall culture for the better. As the biggest reason we still have "Media Critics" who mostly complain about "Wokeness" is because of these stereotypes and practices still being seen as the norm, and anything challenging it is easy to dump on for views.
I hope you find roles that are more fulfilling, authentic, and respectful, and in a safe and healthy work environment that values you the way you deserve.
What a lovely and thoughtful comment, thank you Isaiah for sharing your experience! I can only imagine how frustrating it must feel to be Native American and multi racial, and not see full pictures of your own experience on screen. Are there any movies that you feel clearly represent a picture of your upbringing? If so, I’d love to check it out.
You’re absolutely right about those movies, but don’t be so hard on yourself. Both the help and Greenbook were supposed to make you feel that way - that’s why the light colors, and uplifting music. It was all a tactic to make everything feel Rosy colored, which is often how Hollywood does struggle pieces. Almost to say, It’s bad but it’s not that bad…I also fell for the Okie doke when I went to see Green book because it was super well done and Mahershala Ali is always delightful to watch on screen. But once I left the theater, I had to sit with the fact that the movie didn’t seem to give him much agency on his own, but rather his relationship with his driver, which to find out, the depiction wasn’t even based in reality.
Truth be told, I cannot. We also have our sappy white-friendly films in the form of "Dances with Wolves" and Disney's "Pocahontas." But it's clear that the Savages of classic Western Cinema is still at the Cultural forefront, even if it is slowly dissolving.
My best recommendation would probably be 1998's "Smoke Signals." A great film that is probably the most authentic in terms of capturing modern reservation life, although I still think more can be done if we were given more chances.
I found it interesting to see how Native communities reacted to "Killers of the Flower Moon," while I stand by that the film is a modern masterpiece, I can understand why some members of the community felt dissatisfaction with it, given how little mainstream attention we do get, and hopefully this film will get the ball rolling on more productions. And I hope Lily Gladstones future is still bright, but given the examples of struggling black starlets you've listed, it's still definitely a steep climb for her if so.
I can remember when me and my friends saw Green Book in theaters, we all enjoyed it and talked positively about it for the rest of the day. Then later, we watched the Oscars together, and we felt so disappointed with its win. We couldn't explain why at the time, but that was likely what led to my own wake-up call.
@@isaiahwilliams2642 I hope you don’t mind me asking, but how do you feel about projects such as Marvel’s echo, spirit stallion of the Cimarron, black panther wakanda forever, the road to el dorado, Or the episode about Kahhori from Marvels what if? You don’t have to answer this if you don’t want to, but I’d really like to get to know your feelings on those pieces of media. And please do not hesitate to let me know if these pieces of media are offensive to Native Americans.
You explained it well. Many folks have no issues with bp playing their 'norm' roles. Anything outside of that is seen as a threat/wke.
Canada is very supportive of First Nations (as natives are referred to there) and are an integral part of Canada’s culture.
There is a lot of govt funding available in the arts, sports and education for First Nations people.
Maybe you could look into connecting with native Canadians involved in filmmaking. Many native tribes were artificially separated when the border was implemented in colonial times. Therefore, there might be funding for American natives who are part of such a shared culture as well as for their Canadian cousins.
Wishing you all the best!
This is a great conversation! A well-known director blocked me on Twitter when I said that black folks need to get our own and be gatekeepers to our own art. We are always welcoming everyone to the cookout when we know that none of those groups do the same for us. They take what we create and then make billions off our culture that we had to piece together from scraps. ✌🏾💜
As a filmmaker, I have to wholeheartedly agree. I’d rather invest and create my own story instead of playing the game.
That's been the story of black folks since the beginning of time it's very sad but you have to start by having an organized community refuse to be defined by stereotypes refuse to join gangs
The white community knows how to get money and circulate money. They will sell your craft to their community for millions. Yet that same craft in the black community that was created by a black person will only make thousands because the mindset is different. Black people have a fit about giving $20.00. They want everything for little or nothing. Just look at how they give to a Gofundme vs black people. We don't know how to show up for each other.
Why omit the black popular figures that willingly play into that because it brings fame and money...
Maybe we don't need Hollywood to tell our stories. Indie studios are becoming more and more relevant. Hollywood will never change. I'll be on the lookout for movies and projects that have something different to say outside of what Hollywood wants to box black people in as. And happy to say I haven't watched a slave film or gangster film in years. unfortunately that means I have hardly watched any black content without having to do some deep searching for it... Feels like Issa has been the main one doing right by us but even she cant find the success she deserves.
Wooooorrddd!!! I wish we would quit thinking we need Hollywood studios to get things made. Its a carry over of slave mentality. Stockholm syndrome.
Issa has been doing the work that needs to be done! but her being the "chosen one" is similar to Spike in the 90s - or MLK for civil rights, or any other leader we might elevate. we're putting A LOT of pressure on one or two people rather than all carrying the burden. I imagine this might burn out some of our creators in their process and instead of spreading it around, we end up drying up the one or two reservoirs we have.
This is a perspective that I have been arguing with my friends and family about. The industry is a propaganda machine that we help build ourselves. We are building our own mental prison.
We put up the fence, they elecrify the wire.
@TiffanyByrdHarrison there are still too many of us who aren't ready for this conversation
💯
my thing is why don't these actors choose to become independent and produce their own projects collectively?? if you gonna be broke and struggling ANYWAY, then why not be broke and struggling AND making art that matters? they need to just be real and say they're not really doing this work to express their creativity as artists, they want fame.
Francis Ford Coppola just made a film for $120M that he financed himself. To do that, he had to sell $500M worth of vineyards (which is where he has made most of his money) and he still can't get people to put up $100M in advertising for a film that's already done. Shit is more expensive in Hollywood than anyone really knows and I've even heard of people like George Harrison having to put up their homes as collateral to get a film as low as $2M made. I think the banks don't like to do business with private individuals, even wealthy ones. I heard tell that Daniel Radcliff--Harry Fucking Potter himself--was denied the sale of a painting he wanted because the gallery wanted to sell it for a higher price to richer collectors.
So in these circles, wealth is not a universal term.
I agree, they also want assimilation and to be accepted by people who are not black. That is what a seat at the table is. Then they cry wolf when they tell them what they really think of them. I’m all for having allies but realistically you need to have control of your work and creativity in order for that to really exist. Also, it’s the self hate, no one should be able to turn on the news to watch the NFL or men’s basketball draft night and see these black players with majority non black or racially ambiguous girlfriends every single last one. All through Hollywood as well. No one is policing who people date but it’s telling when no other group of people dates out as much as black men do. It’s a beg for validation from other communities who are not willing. it also disrespects black women collectively because it’s sending a clear statement of who they feel is valuable. Most importantly it also shows a weak and divided community. These black actors have a divisive color blind mindset which is why they cry every year about the same thing. Clearly everyone else can see color matters, even when they gaslight and say it doesn’t matter.
LOL you said if you gon be broke and struggling, might as well make something good! Id love to interview some actors and ask them why they don't do their own indies collectively but I imagine the amount of work it requires to put things together is RISKY.
Fear of failure, being cancelled, going up agains the heavyweights, losing out on money - celebrities, much like normal people, don't want to look bad. So sometimes I feel like doing small work well is beyond them. Us not famous people have the benefit of developing in the dark without all the pressure and eyes of other people yet. We can fail in private and with less risk involved.
@@TiffanyByrdHarrison 💯💯💯
@@TiffanyByrdHarrison i wonder if you could start an 'anonymous' series where they could talk to you with their voice distorted (kinda like deep throat and watergate) and share the real t with you. that would be epic.
Thank you for your video! I am a Japanese national that grew up/lives primarily in the USA. I love love love 90's Black cinema (Set it Off is one of my all-time favorite films). I want to support brilliant Black filmmakers creating today. 🥰
Excuse me. It's been my dream to live to Japan since I was young. Is there anyway I can become a citizen there?
These conversations are so necessary and I’m SO HAPPY we’re having them more! Thank you for another great analysis. 🙏🏾
Agreed, I am just as happy to discuss them with ya'll! Thanks, Ashanti!
Your little channel is GOLD. I shared your content with my 16 years old daughter and saying she's obsessed with you would be an understatement
that is so precious 🥹tell her i’m excited for her and whatever she plans on doing in the world!
Thank you for your channel!
Hopefully the kids will tune in, it’s desperately needed.❤
I really appreciate that encouragement - I pray it reaches those who need it!
@@TiffanyByrdHarrison Well I will do my part and share your channel.❤️💕
Brava!!!! I hope you hear me applauding you all the way from Las Vegas. You did an excellent and comprehensive job on this sometimes disheartening discussion of Black Hollywood. As an Actor and Film Maker, I couldn't agree with your in-depth research more. Congratulations on doing such great work and I sincerely am looking forward to more of your conversations and especially your new film projects. Thank you.
I hear it, Michael and I appreciate it so much! It's very humbling to see other artists like you in my comments so thank you for resonating with the content and connecting here.
Your content is so informative and honest and you articulate the issues like no other. This video was worth the wait, you go girl!
Wow! Thank you so much for the kind words. It means a lot!
Thanks!
The other day I was watching a video about the Blaxploitation movement, and I thought to myself: Black filmmakers and creators at one point created a movement in which they had the upper hand. I think about the late great Melvin Van Peebles, who basically started the Blaxploitation movement with Sweet Sweetback and The Watermelon Man. Although the Blaxploitation movement was controversial and a bit problematic, in some cases it allowed independent Black filmmakers to have control over their stories and how they wanted their movies to be portrayed before being co-opted by Hollywood and you know, capitalism.
The other day I rewatched Just Another Girl on the IRT by Leslie Harris, and it’s truly a movie that did not play into the stereotypes of Black girls. Chantel the main protagonist was ambitious, passionate, and loyal. She had agency. She was not sexualized, nor were her friends. Her boyfriend, later baby’s father Tyrone was a spoiled, chauvinist kinda dude, but he wasn’t a drug dealer or anything stereotypical to Black men. He was just a dude with more money than Chantel. Just Another girl on the IRT is an overlooked and very underrated movie because it was not stereotypical, and instead focused on a Black girl’s point of view of how life was during the early 90s. This was a movie that not only Hollywood wanted to portray, but I felt like Black Hollywood at the time didn’t shift their focus to a movie that was groundbreaking, and still influential among indie filmmakers and Black woman directors to an extent.
Black Hollywood can be better, but it has to be willing to go under construction. There should be stories and movies made around narratives that are often under utilized or is ignored completely. An example are nerds, Black alt girls/femmes/non-binary, trans people, fat people, just representation in general that is them living life without constraints. We can also start encouraging Black creatives and Black up and coming filmmakers by donating funds to their cash app or wherever they receive funds. This could all happen without a backing of a major system like Hollywood, who bastardize creatives, but specially Black creatives.
Had to say that lol. Can’t wait until the video!
Well said, Nicole. ❤
.... For Black men. Not sure how that movement worked for Black women in Hollywood. We went from playing maids and to playing prostitutes. Which is worse?
Nicole, let me say the Black Alt girls, femmes, non-binary, trans - essentially LGBTQ in movies, TV and definitely streaming, is in full effect right now. It's easier to get Black LGBT projects made more than ever. This is the lifestyle of many White executives, actors and producers for the last 50 years. But showing the traditional, heterosexual Black family living a positive lifestyle is extremely difficult and not pushed.
I would argue that Blaxploitation's success was largely rooted in it's genre nature. Genre films have always had the widest appeal, the largest audiences, generated the largest profits, and are overwhelmingly cult favorites. Everything from SHAFT to BLACKULA to SUPERFLY to BLACK BELT JONES and on were undeniably genre films that could have been made with different casts and settings because the stories were lurid and filled with excitement. American audiences didn't used to be as savvy as they are now about media and historically liked to turn off their brains.
Look that’s all fine and we’ll but in reality the larger part of audience wants the foolishness and b.s not regular everyday life stuff it’s called escapism just the same way conscious rap came and went but Hiphop/Gangsta rap is alive and here going through another rebirth 🤷🏽♀️🤷🏽♀️💁🏽♀️💁🏽♀️!!!!
I'm gonna have to try to pitch to those Black production companies. Because crowdfunding is so dang difficult. Folks don't even wanna donate $1. Smh😢
Because we've been let down by our own. Many of us have supported black owned enterprises only for those enterprises to be short sighted and rip off it's base to gain short term profits
@@Thed538dhsk I suppose. But I'm like, dang, is that $1 really gonna hurt? In my case tho, I don't believe it was the case, but I get that for a lot.
@@Lonelyeco it takes us building strong trust and relationships with one another that are mutually beneficial. Only after doing this back to back can we see growth. It's tough. A lack of unity and strength between one another
@@Thed538dhsk it’s not lack of unity it’s lack of good Ideas, leadership on those ideas and the ability to execute. I’m in Hollywood of color and just got 30 people to join my project to help raise money and make happen without giving them a dollar down and most of them are black on the team. It’s our lack of belief in what we are doing and lack in believe others would help or join us. Also look into sponsors and not donations.
@@Thed538dhsk Mmm hmm. U ain't lying.
Yo! This was a breath of fresh air. Thanks for offering solutions at the end, too.
Yah bless!
Thank you family! I appreciate that.
Absolute excellent critique. I have been saying this for years. Optics and balance representation is everything. We need our own media network, great script writers (no to Tyler P🙄)etc and put our money into companies that tell our enriched narratives and support our creativity. I refused to watch 12 years a slave when it came out. Still haven't seen it nor do I intend to. Dont watch black struggle love movies either. I wasn't impressed with Spike Lee's She's gotta have it when it came out back in the days nor his reasoning behind it .Sick of the stereotypes. Thank you for the pointers as to how we the public can help to change things. You have a new subscriber ❤
I’m sending this video to all my black industry peers. Your viewpoint is so valuable and refreshing. Thank you 🙏🏿
thank you so much!
Good times … the animation shocked & enraged me… I’m African 😢
it was a mess!
I saw just a few minutes, but it shouldn't have been greenlighted.
Thank you for putting the information out there. Some will ignore it, but some will learn. I enjoyed watching, and will be sharing. 💯
So appreciate ya! Thanks for watching.
Ice Cube is one of the most effective tools used for negative black images development.
Ok, boomer 😂
Your analysis is excellent. As a creative, I've encountered many of these discussions before, but your perspective offers a fresh angle. I particularly value the notion of being humble enough to engage in more collaboration. Ultimately, it's through collaboration that dynasties are built and quality, consistent, and creative success is sustained. If you're ever doing production in the LA area, I would love to connect. Blessings.
hey Billy, I really appreciate that! I was in LA a few weeks ago working on a gig, so I will definitely let the community know that I’m in the area again, maybe we can do a meet up.
Absolutely!@@TiffanyByrdHarrison
As a black screenwriter who’s also a believer in God/Christ, I love how much I can connect to this. Thank you ❤️💪🏾
I got this recommendation from FD and it did not disappoint. Loved it and great analysis. I will be watching more. So glad to have found your channel.
Thank you so so much! FD is definitely a powerful voice.
Phenomenal video sis!!!
This spoke to me as a black indie creative. I LOVE the call to action with the studio recs and small creatives recs at the end of the video. Icing on this fantastic cake.
You've got a new sub out of me. Can't wait to check out another dope black creative on here. You can thank FD for pointing me in your direction^^
I saw this video scrolling. As an actor myself this connected. I subscribed and will share 🙏🏾
thank you peter!
Im so honored to have found your channel!!!!!! The delivery the questions...This is so necessary for the culture!
You’re are an amazing editor omg!!!
I appreciate that! I had a few glitches on this one, but hopefully I can get them right for the next.
13:02; cue the party scene with the actor from "Save the last dance" is in "Not another teen movie".
So in my house, we call him "Derek Fluke" LOL actor's name is Sean Patrick Thomas but we always thought him and Derek Luke looked like kin
I have never been able to articulate this as clearly as you have. Ever since I first began to spiritually vomit at Blackploitation films in 1971, when I was a kid, I've been on this track. Thank you for voicing it so well.
I have NEVER had any interest in watching "Driving Miss Daisy". Enough with the slave/servant roles. In contrast, I recently re- watched the 1984 movie "Brother From Another Planet" with the fantastic Joe Morton in the title role. I remember when it was first released, I thought it marked a significant change in the kind of roles black actors would be offered. It's a gem of a film and a sample of the kind of movies we could be doing.
I've never seen that one! I'm writing it down to check it out, especially on your recommendation.
Huh? Joe plays a runaway slave from another planet.
That is such a simplistic way of looking at Driving Miss Daisy. As someone who has worked with the elderly for years, you have no idea the special bond that develops between an elderly person and the person intially hired to just help them. It's extraordinary. Often they are left to their own devices because their family is too busy. They struggle with their declining independence and this can cause conflict with the person helping them but if/when it is resolved, the trust relationship that develops is really special. The Morgan Freeman character was in no way obliged to remain working for the Miss Daisy character. Some people actually do care about other people of other races. By getting so caught up in what you knee jerk assume to be a terrible trope, you miss out on a real human story that is true to life for many elderly people and the people who care for them. Be a little more open minded.
That’s how I felt about green mile. I made a conscious effort to never watch that movie.
@@vanessac1721 there is no point in convincing someone to watch a movie they don’t want to. They didn’t miss out on anything. There’s plenty of ways to get a feel good story without having to compromise our morals. It’s OK that they didn’t wanna watch “driving Miss Daisy”. I remember when the movie came out and forgot that it came out at the same time as “do the right thing. “It’s a much less memorable movie than “do the right thing” in my opinion.
I didn't care too much for "Driving Ms. Lazy." I thought that she could drive herself.
LOL I just spit out my drink
Miss Daisy could no longer driver herself. That is why Dan Ackroyd hired Morgan Freeman.
I don’t even care for Morgan Freeman that much (except Lean On Me) but the role was not downgrading. I mean it was his living and he played it with reducing himself or Black peoples. It was the way it was-often.
I don’t have much to say except that this video was really needed and greatly appreciated. A great reminder of how the industry is and also a wake up call for how we can address it. Thank you ❤
Great work! It’s been so nice to see the names of some of these films breathing and alive again, especially Daughters of the Dust and Eve’s Bayou 💙
A lot of these I saw in the summers after graduation, so I never had a community to discuss them, and then it all just evaporated. I was just at a super fortunate and specific place in time, like a weird cinematic hailstorm that I am never fully sure anyone else witnessed 🤷♀️
I was really happy to see Fiq bring Bamboozled into The Conversation, as it made me aware of the Criterion release. Those are some beautiful performances that I’m grateful to see again. There really was a moment it felt like Spike was gonna be able to move it forward all on his lonesome, then a bunch of South Park family guy happened and it’s been post post post ironic fart jokes since.
But if I had thought it would be that easy, I guess I wouldn’t really have been paying much attention to the Message, I suppose.
Thank you! 🙏
Love all of this Jen, and love the way you wrote your comment! I definitely think you were in a cinematic hailstorm that I would LOVE to return...And Bamboozled is so underrated albeit a risk for Spike during that time.
THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is what I have been discussing for years now i am seeking to do my part to keep this information out there!
I really study history, I am addicted to it. I read books 100-300 years old and this argument/complaint is as old as the Emancipation Proclamation. Imagine that.
I don’t know whether to be validated or horrified that this argument is so long in the tooth 🤦🏾♀️
@@TiffanyByrdHarrison tell me about it. We go through so many emotions coming into awareness of self. In conclusion, we are who we have always been. Some understand but most do not and there is a constant struggle within our struggle.
Shows me how, stuck we are, focused on the wrong things.
As one of Zora Neal Hurston’s characters in Their Eyes Were Watching God said, “…We hold our own selves back”.
Brilliantly stated
Loved this! FD sent me. And I took a screenshot of your black movie starter pack because I got some homework to do! ✍️
I didn't see it on Tiffany's list, but I'd strongly recommend Carl Franklin's superb "One False Move." A heartbreaking emotional story inside an absolutely crackerjack crime-story jacket. You'll wonder why this director disappeared.
Thank you for making this, this video is very educational!
I had the notification on for this and still missed the live smh But your right about holding ourselves responsible because I have been having talks with myself latley about some of the things I have been watching and asking myself "Why am I even looking at this"😂 This video was 🔥🔥like always
I so appreciate that bro! I love the talks to yourself 😂 that's me, too. When I watch things, I always be like, hold up - what is this? lol
Subscribed, 2nd video and I’m all in. Thank you for breaking this down. At one time I wanted to be an actor and as I started booking commercials and my first pilot, it clicked and I gracefully bowed out of the rat race
💯💯💯💯 on point as usual! Sending this vid to my friends and family! Ive been trying to tell them exactly this
I really appreciate you sharing and commenting!
Excellent video. Glad youtube suggested you to me.
I’m so glad you found the channel!
Love this! I been saying this for years and everyone always wanna tell me, I'm focused too much on race and Hollywood gives you roles based on ticket movie sales. But I call b/s. A new trope I've noticed is that Hollywood will hire a black man in the leading role but always pairing him with a white girl or mixed race. They never want to give black women big roles.
I have seen this as well! I have no issue with interracial relationships but I can definitely see that media is skipping right over to Black couples and going to interracial ones to appear progressive. Another form of tokenism or modern day passing, where if you're attached to a privileged person a la Get Out, it should shield you from scrutiny.
That'd probably be true if Zendaya didn't exist. There are all these tensions at play in this stuff. It raises anthropological issues that go to very hurtful places, so maybe better to go very slowly? The problem with talking about "race" is, we're not the only ones talking about it, and there are some perspectives you really don't want to stir up. Very hard to get back in the bottle once they're out. One way to look at it, maybe, is that interracial pairings are in their own way a small but prudent step toward minimizing the tension and discomfort of these anthropological encounters. Like it or not, this is going to take time.
Great video. I was just having a similar conversation about the same thing in regard to the music industry. We have to divest and deprogram.
My first time watching one of your videos and I instantly subscribe to your channel! 🙌🏾 We have to CREATE and SUPPORT our own media conglomerate.
thank you so much for subbing!!
Thank you for this very insightful video essay.
My pleasure!
This is the best video I watched all week! Literally what I been trying to tell my homies for years. Now I can say "Bro just go watch this video"... thank you for real
thank you so much for watching and for the kind compliments! I also saw that you joined the Patreon, can’t wait to discuss with you in the movie club soon 🔥
@@TiffanyByrdHarrison yezzzir!! 🥳🎬🎥🍿
🎉congratulations 🎊 on a phenomenal video, clear, concise, thorough, educational and entertaining!🎉❤😊
Yessss! 👏🏽👏🏽🙌🏾🙌🏾. Love the solutions at the conclusion through your filter as a Christian woman!!!❤️
Amen! We in here
You have hit the nail on the head!!!!
Fantastic breakdown, you're on a great track with this one
Thank you so much for that!
LOVE this video thank you for sharing! We have to start being more intentional with what we spend our attention on
Excellent commentary, Tiffany, and yes I have fond memories of watching 99% of these movies from Do the Right Thing onwards.❤❤❤❤
Thank you so much! So you're a real cinephile, huh?
Big fan of all cinema, but more so on Black cinema, from Boyz in the Hood, Love Jones, Love and Basketball to Brown Sugar. Not so keen on Tyler Perry though.
Thank you for introducing your questions in such a clear and concise format. This kind of conversation needs serious care and precision if it’s going to be spoken about. Great start!
I honestly thank you..as avid lover of Black "stars", this is definitely a conversation that needs to be had by pockets of Black consumers worldwide.
Brilliant piece!! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
I’m an actor…. That financial break down was a little off. 10k per episode for 6 episodes on a streaming service varies wildly. More like 5k for a recurring guest star. The waiting between gigs is the real kicker. Even as a working black actor there is no seniority or advancement. You can star in a show and never get a call to audition again.
If you ever want to talk to a working actor on a show right now… I’m glad to help.
understood and thanks for the correction. the $10k was just an example for the sake of non industry folks, but i appreciate the offer for insight from a working actor! i’ll reach out for potential future videos
Well said and very entertaining - keep doing your thing and hitting all of those very important talking points!!
Thank you Jamahl!
I am loving this video. So much said here is so true and yet left unsaid about the industry. I still find it wild to that even some higher paid actors/actresses are still having issues finding work despite well established previous works.
For the algorithm 📊
thank you fam!
Well said and explained !! I’m a believer and positive about coming together as like minded individuals to do our part to support the change that is happening one victory at a time!
amen!
We immigrated to US from India and The Cosby Show was required viewing. For my parents, they wanted us to be like the Cosbys. They wanted us to go to med school like Dr Cosby :) Two movies you missed are, Mississippi Masala starting Denzel and Basquiat. My friend and I went to little indie theater in NYC and we knew Jeffery Wright was going to be huge.
So glad this came across my recommended! What a thoughtful and educational video. Liked and am watching more for sure.
thank you for being here, Sophia! Always lovely to be found 😊
I really enjoyed this video cus it reminded me of something extremely important. Not just as black people but as people, whenever we come across way more large scale problems and issues such as the self sabotage of black Hollywood.
Because we all already know the dangers of horrible media representation and the more stereotypical roles were put into, the question we should always be asking is "what are you going to do about it?"
This video gives a good starting point, advice and almost a blueprint on what to do and how we'd fix the black Hollywood problem.
I'd like to see what we could do for music aswell
Love your question! "What are we going to do" has a very call to action ring to it.
Your knowledge of the industry is amazing and nourishing to the mind. Another great article 👏 👏👏👏
We spend too much money,we are so, creative we can start our own production companies and distribution companies, but first we have to treat each other the way we treat others, we treat others very kindly and lovingly, if we could do that then we are already there.
Saw the title of this video, and I instantly knew the content would be for me! Thankfully, I wasn't wrong 🥰 I'm an aspiring actor, writer, producer and director currently in film school and this is a topic that's been heavily weighing my chest for SO LONG now. You hit the nail on the wall with EVERY point you raised dude, ugh it's so refreshing to get a young, black and publicized voice in the media (who actually works in the industry) speak on things outside of drunk weekends and 'shaking ass on yacht'. Personally, I'm also beginning to see this problem in my home country of South Africa where a lot of the films and tv shows greenlit here are centred on crime stories where our protagonist is constantly someone wielding a gun. That is a reality that most of us DO NOT find ourselves in, and the most frustrating part about it is that there is SOOO MUCH to the South African identity and politics for us to greedily and unfairly invest ourselves in this tired trope. Thankfully, there are platforms like yours that are speaking out against this facade. It makes me really happy that this dialogue is happening and that I don't only have to only look to established, intelligent and progressive filmmakers like Spike Lee, Viola Davis, Barry Jenkins, etc. but that there are even UA-camrs preaching on this gospel! You've definitely gained a subscriber with me 🔥🔥 this is the content I signed up for man!!! 😁❤🎬🙏
Putting out some food stuff im glad I found you keep it up we need vocices like yours out here.
Thank you for the kind words!
Hi! Recent subscriber to your channel and enjoyed this video very much. It’s given me a lot to think about. Your presentation is quite professional and thought provoking. Two thoughts struck me while watching, the motion picture industry is that, an industry, a business to make money. Producers directors and actors are all a part of the process, but one of the most important are the writers. As my late wife, also an avid filmgoer, would say “There’s no substitute for plot.” Keep up the great work!
An option to consider is making independent short films or even skits on social media where you have absolute control of the narrative. Hollywood is becoming less influential thanks to the Internet
facts!
Love the message you’re conveying and I agree 100 percent. Keeping speaking truth to power, I’m trying to spread the message about the media as well💯
Sick of it, bout time I was sick from 15 yrs ago💯‼️
Black First. I'm just saying indeed, indeed thank you for this evening true powerful video commentary is indeed in my opinion truth be told the truth and food for thought. Yes again thank you for your deep point of view with all of the facts.
Thank you Fred Lee! So appreciate that "indeed"
Wow, this was so interesting ❤!! Thank you!! Mic'2024
thank you for watching!
Excellent video. Your discussion about Black Hollywood makes me go back to your discussion about Tyler Perry and why do actors star in his schlock (I'm being nice). The things that "Black Hollywood" has to go through, brings up an actor named John Boyega. I won't give the whole story (because everybody knows it). He and the character he played, Finn, got screwed in the Star Wars Sequel Trilogy. The two teams of writers (which was one problem) didn't know what to do his character (which was a second problem). To be fair, they didn't know what to with ANY of the characters in that trilogy. I don't blame John for giving Disney/LucasFilm the finger when he left: they let his talent go to waste...BADLY. I'm glad to see he hasn't rested on his laurels and has showed off versatility in the flicks post-Star Wars.
However, the question still remains: What hoops does Black Hollywood have to jump through JUST to get a morsel of work? 🤔
I knew Jon had issues with the franchise, but so glad he has his own production company in UpperRoom Productions! He took that ish and made it fertilizer, and for that, I'm proud. But your question, I wonder if we remove the hoops and just start small. We don't need acclaim at the beginning, we just need to start. Much like Ava Duvernay started with her camera in her 40s, we need to just begin with the little we have.
@@TiffanyByrdHarrison Yes, starting small would be the best route. I want to see good stories come back to the cinemas once again. What concerns me is this "woke" or "performative diversity" mindset that has placed good storytelling (along with well written characters, etc.) secondary to "the message". That nonsense needs to be extinct like the dodo bird. I believe that's what screwed John Boyega when it came to Star Wars. Instead of creating a trilogy with a solid overall arc (with well-written characters, etc.) ...we got "checked boxes"...
-'Black character' (check)
-'Asian character' (check)
-'Hispanic character' (check)
-'Strong female character' (a term that a I DESPISE!) (check)
I think what would help Black Hollywood is to bring back the independent, mid-tier movies w/budgets that were sub-$90 million. If...IF that were to happen, other voices could counteract Tyler Perry. Folks would get the variety that is SORELY lacking in black films. However, this is just my opinion...I could be wrong. 😉
P.S.- I forgot that Boyega started his own production company, good. Honestly, I'm glad that he has stayed away from Star Wars...I don't want him to EVER come back. 🤔
Glad I recently found your channel ✊🏽 I enjoy your analysis...it definitely gets my wheels turning when considering filmic representation & circumnavigating industry strongholds. Much appreciated!
Godzilla -1 was exhibit "A" that a quality movie can be made without being in Hollywood but the X Factor is that black people want to stay victims and not make a collective product WITHOUT MASSA'S approval??? I guess that's cognitive dissonance.
Even great stories with black characters and mc and not stereotypes or reboot or race swapped rarely ever get talked about got to follow the stereotype
I think we do want to stay in a box, but I don't know if "victim" is the box. An excellent little indie film called "Tangerine" was made a few years back. Black protagonists, good story. But the protagonists were transgender women living by their wits on the margin of society. Too far outside the box of conventionality ("normal") that the black public likes to put itself in? I'd guess so. We go to the movies to see ourselves, rather than to see art. Our narrow tastes are just as limiting to our creators as any studio executive's concept of what a "black" movie is or should be.
Keep up the great informative information. Thank you!☮️💟
Thank you! Will do!